Twenty Years Later by Dumas, Alexandre. Part two

Page 475

Dumas, Alexandre – Twenty Years After

Mordaunt to make himself impenetrable.

“It appears,” said Cromwell, “that this improvised

executioner did his duty remarkably well. The blow, so they

tell me at least, was struck with a master’s hand.”

Mordaunt remembered that Cromwell had told him he had had no

detailed account, and he was now quite convinced that the

general had been present at the execution, hidden behind

some screen or curtain.

“In fact,” said Mordaunt, with a calm voice and immovable

countenance, “a single blow sufficed.”

“Perhaps it was some one in that occupation,” said Cromwell.

“Do you think so, sir? He did not look like an executioner.”

“And who else save an executioner would have wished to fill

that horrible office?”

“But,” said Mordaunt, “it might have been some personal

enemy of the king, who had made a vow of vengeance and

accomplished it in this way. Perhaps it was some man of rank

who had grave reasons for hating the fallen king, and who,

learning that the king was about to flee and escape him,

threw himself in the way, with a mask on his face and an axe

in his hand, not as substitute for the executioner, but as

an ambassador of Fate.”

“Possibly.”

“And if that were the case would your honor condemn his

action?”

“It is not for me to judge. It rests between his conscience

and his God.”

“But if your honor knew this man?”

“I neither know nor wish to know him. Provided Charles is

dead, it is the axe, not the man, we must thank.”

“And yet, without the man, the king would have been

rescued.”

Cromwell smiled.

“They would have carried him to Greenwich,” he said, “and

put him on board a felucca with five barrels of powder in

the hold. Once out to sea, you are too good a politician not

to understand the rest, Mordaunt.”

“Yes, they would have all been blown up.”

“Just so. The explosion would have done what the axe had

failed to do. Men would have said that the king had escaped

human justice and been overtaken by God’s. You see now why I

did not care to know your gentleman in the mask; for really,

in spite of his excellent intentions, I could not thank him

for what he has done.”

Mordaunt bowed humbly. “Sir,” he said, “you are a profound

thinker and your plan was sublime.”

Page 476

Dumas, Alexandre – Twenty Years After

“Say absurd, since it has become useless. The only sublime

ideas in politics are those which bear fruit. So to-night,

Mordaunt, go to Greenwich and ask for the captain of the

felucca Lightning. Show him a white handkerchief knotted at

the four corners and tell the crew to disembark and carry

the powder back to the arsenal, unless, indeed —- ”

“Unless?” said Mordaunt, whose face was lighted by a savage

joy as Cromwell spoke:

“This skiff might be of use to you for personal projects.”

“Oh, my lord, my lord!”

“That title,” said Cromwell, laughing, “is all very well

here, but take care a word like that does not escape your

lips in public.”

“But your honor will soon be called so generally.”

“I hope so, at least,” said Cromwell, rising and putting on

his cloak.

“You are going, sir?”

“Yes,” said Cromwell. “I slept here last night and the night

before, and you know it is not my custom to sleep three

times in the same bed.”

“Then,” said Mordaunt, “your honor gives me my liberty for

to-night?”

“And even for all day to-morrow, if you want it. Since last

evening,” he added, smiling, “you have done enough in my

service, and if you have any personal matters to settle it

is just that I should give you time.”

“Thank you, sir; it will be well employed, I hope.”

Cromwell turned as he was going.

“Are you armed?” he asked.

“I have my sword.”

“And no one waiting for you outside?”

“No.”

“Then you had better come with me.”

“Thank you, sir, but the way by the subterranean passage

would take too much time and I have none to lose.”

Cromwell placed his hand on a hidden handle and opened a

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